FLINT, Michigan — Don't be fooled by the "junior college" label; NJCAA basketball is highly competitive, despite the fact some may frown upon it because it's not NCAA Division I-caliber.

The 16-team junior college tournament in Danville, Ill. was a week-long experience full of competitive contests, and for some teams, it ended with heartache.

The Mott Bears fell one win shy of securing their fourth national title since 2003 after losing 74-67 to defending national champion Lincoln College on Saturday. Despite the Bears' loss, they played like one of the top teams in the nation, which they were, as they entered the tournament as its No. 1 overall seed and carried the No. 1 national ranking as well.

From Tuesday to Saturday, there was rarely a dull moment. I would routinely scout other teams to size up the Bears' potential competition in an attempt to see how Mott basketball stacked up to the rest of the nation.

After the Bears trumped Triton College — a team in which they surrendered a 16-point lead to and fell 65-56 to during the Lansing Thanksgiving Classic in November — I was a believer. Initially, I made the assumption that Triton was the better team overall. The Trojans seemingly had more depth and size, but after the Bears knocked them off — and without sophomore guard Sam Burton, who suffered a sprained knee Wednesday during the Bears' 65-61 victory over Phoenix College — I changed my mind.

I figured the Bears had the means necessary to capture national prominence. But a lackluster first half against Lincoln put them in a whole early as they faced a 33-21 deficit at the break. A late rally sparked by former Flint Central star Demetrius Miller wasn't enough for Mott to overcome what was at one time, an 18-point deficit in the second half. Miller scored each of his team-high 16 points in the second frame and tallied six in the final two minutes to bring Mott within four points — down 67-63 with 1:09 to play — but lack of execution ultimately led to the Bears' demise.

However, following the Bears was just part of the overall Danville experience. While most of my memories from the tournament are from watching the Bears play, the top moment was talking basketball with guys twice my age.

I quickly grew tired of the hospitality room cuisine provided at the tournament. I needed a change of pace, so I drove down Main St. in search of a taste of the town. That's when I stumbled upon O'Brien's Corner Tavern, and I'm glad I did. O'Brien's had reubens on St. Patrick's Day — the best I've ever had, and I'm picky when it comes to reubens — but it also had basketball-savvy patrons. I met Lou, Bill, Jim, and O'Brien's owner, Vince, while having a burger during my first visit Tuesday.

Bill lived in Flint and worked at General Motors during the 1950s. Sharing a local connection quickly made me feel at ease.

The "Old Boys" filled me in on the importance of the tournament to Danville and even offered predictions on the NCAA tournament. I filled out my bracket and showed it to Lou. He told me I was all wrong, which in hindsight, is close to the truth. My bracket is indeed busted, but I'd bet yours — and Lou's — is too.

After Tuesday's initial encounter with the guys, I was hooked. While the club members were much older than me, they made me feel like I was one of them. I even had a meal with the guys prior to the NJCAA title game. They wished me well, and said they hope to see me next year.

Burton was plagued by a sprained right knee Wednesday. And the Bears could have used him Saturday. The sophomore guard was the backbone of the Bears backcourt this season. I admired the way he handled his injury and his positive attitude. I talked extensively with Burton, and he never once made a negative comment. Burton demonstrated a true team attitude, and in this day and age of the "me athlete," it was refreshing to see.

To come home and play in front of familiar faces must have been quite the experience for Brigham. He posted a double-double in each of the Bears' four tournament games. Brigham told me on several occasions that he wanted to play the best basketball of his career while in Danville.

And he did.

He fouled out in the title game, and tried to hold back tears as he approached the bench. It was undoubtedly an uneasy feeling knowing the game was going to end with a loss, and also, knowing that he could do nothing about it. Brigham was named to the All-Tournament team for his steady play during the week.

The Bears faithful were in full force during the tournament. With each win, there were black and gold shirts flooding the stands. The Bears had just as many fans, if not more, than any school in attendance — and they weren't all from Flint. In fact, the Bears have quite a fanbase in Danville, and I had the chance to talk to some of them. They told me seeing the Bears on an almost yearly basis made them appreciate the way Mott competes. While Flint may be known for other things to other people, its known for Mott Bears basketball to those in Danville.

I'm always on the watch for an upset. Often times, I look for the underdog to emerge victorious. While Mott and Lincoln were two of the tournament's favorites and made it to the title game as expected, there were teams that advanced that weren't supposed to. There were close games throughout, but the biggest upset in my mind was unranked Phoenix College's 74-66 overtime win against seventh-ranked St. Louis CC - Meramec on Tuesday. Phoenix's win set up a challenge for the Bears, who slipped by Phoenix in the second round with a 65-61 win Wednesday.